I've surfed OB for 32 years. Lived on the Great Hwy @ Noriega St for 12. Windsurfed there for 15+, Kited there for 4. Doesn't that make me THE local? Grin.

Are we *really* gonna talk about localism at a spot within the city limits of a major metropolitan area like San Francisco? Please.

Wed and Thurs were the most crowded I've EVER seen it. I counted 25+ kites up at Kelly's alone. But good news: it's only crowded in ONE place. There's 3 miles of beach at OB folks... we *can* spread out a bit...

Dude, that's nothing. I was getting tubed before I was born: My X chromosomes were getting barreled in Fallopia , while my Y chromosomes were doing a mighty paddle to join 'em.

After a 9 month hold-down, during which I didn't take a single breath (the secret is to relax in the fetal position), I stormed out the birth canal in a invertered strapless forward roll. Mind you I was wearing an umbilical-cord leash as you can't risk that placenta getting away from you.

After a natural underwater birth, my folks put some booties and a hood on me and after 42 years I'm still charging salt water in any way I can.